“It was nice because Andy actually said to me ‘you’ve got that save in you that gets people up on their feet.’

“That was great to hear a guy like that giving me such an amazing compliment. That gives me confidence to go on and do well.

“I went for lunch with Andy and he was great telling me about his experiences. He said he sees me in a similar light in the way he came to the club from Hibs at a similar age.

“He said you’ll find it different but you’ve got all the tools to go on and be a great goalie. He had no doubts in me and to hear that from one of my heroes and such a great goalie was fantastic.

“I was invited to meet him for lunch because Andy was keen to speak to me and he has stayed in touch since then. “He texted me at the start of the week to see how training has been going, he has been fantastic and it’s great to know guys like that are there to help me.

“I also spoke to Allan McGregor, who I know through our involvement with the Scotland squad, and he had only good things to say, he loves the club. He told me just to get things signed as soon as possible then get your head down and work hard.

“It’s great to speak to people who have been in the position that you are looking to be in. You can only take their experience and look to build on their advice.

“The message from both was that all the tools are there at the club to help me become a better goalie.”

That last comment answers those who question the ambition of ex-Kilmarnock star Bell and fellow new signings like Nicky Law and Jon Daly by dropping out of the SPL to play for Gers in Division Two.

The way Bell sees it, by coming to Rangers he is not risking his prospects of playing for Scotland but BOOSTING his case for Gordon Strachan to make him a key part of his plans. Especially as the national coach has already shown he’s not scared to pick Gers players like Lee Wallace.

Bell added: “I think this move can enhance my chances of playing for Scotland.

“Playing in front of 40 or 50,000 fans every other week is crucial. As an SPL player you only get that once in every three months when you play against Celtic.

“So that’s a new challenge for me, playing in front of big crowds every week.

“I think if you do well enough I don’t see why you wouldn’t get picked for Scotland. There are other guys who have joined this club that still have international ambitions which hopefully will still be recognised. “I can only do my part for Rangers and anything else that comes from that is a bonus.

“When I saw Lee Wallace getting picked it did make me think that it was the right decision to come because you knew that Gordon Strachan was still looking at Rangers. It’s great that he’s still taking Rangers players into consideration and hopefully he continues to do that.

“I never spoke to Gordon about it before I signed, I just took it from seeing Lee getting picked that there is still a consideration of Rangers. That it’s still being looked at as a big club, which it is.

“If you are doing it consistently then no matter what division it is I don’t see why you should be overlooked. I didn’t need to speak to anyone, when Rangers came calling I made my decision straight away.

“Now all I can do is work hard to become an established number one at Rangers and then hopefully get myself back in the Scotland set-up.

“I know there are great goalies in there at the moment but I want to be one of those great goalies in years to come.

“I said when I first signed that if I don’t get better here I’ll never get better at all. The facilities and coaching staff here are first class so if I don’t improve it will be down to me, my own fault.

“So I’m expecting big things of myself over the next two or three years and my expectations are high. I’m going into this season wanting to be number one. I know it’s not going to be a walk in the park, I need to work hard in training and prove that I’m good enough but I’m confident that I can do that.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be a Rangers player. This week I’ve been a bit starstruck.

“Obviously, I watched the manager and Ian Durrant playing when I was a kid so it’s great to work with these guys. The whole backroom staff have been fantastic.

“I’m sure they will help me develop. It’s been superb and the facilities are second to none. You don’t want to leave, you’d train here all day. In fact, I think if you could sleep here you would!”